Hypothesis on cellular ATP depletion and adenosine release as causes of heart failure and vasodilatation in cardiovascular beriberi

A Case Report of Wet Beriberi Due to Excessive White Rice Consumption in an Elderly Male Patient: A Potentially Forgotten and Underrecognized Disease

Thiamine deficiency can cause various clinical manifestations. Wet beriberi, a phenotype of thiamine deficiency, is often underdiagnosed in clinical practice due to the nonspecificity of symptoms. An 83-year-old man presented to a primary care clinic with a two-month history of progressing edema in the scrotum and lower extremities. The patient reported a weight gain of 10 kg and was treated with diuretics. However, his condition did not improve even after four weeks. The patient was referred to our hospital for further cardiac evaluation. Transthoracic echocardiographic findings were suggestive of a high cardiac output (CO) state, and the thiamine level was decreased. Further medical interview revealed that the patient had a habit of eating two or three large bowls of white rice with a few side dishes for breakfast and dinner. The hemodynamic evaluation revealed high CO and low systemic vascular resistance. The patient's weight decreased from 56.6 to 52.4 kg in the first 2 days after thiamine administration. Six days later, his weight further decreased to 50.8 kg and edema disappeared completely. Clinicians should be aware that excessive consumption of white rice with few side dishes may lead to thiamine deficiency. This case highlights the importance of considering wet beriberi as a cause of excessive edema with high CO state.

Long-Term Maintenance of Normal Serum Vitamin B1 Levels Is Associated with Better Outcomes in Patients with Heart Failure

Deficiency of vitamin B1 (VB1), an essential micronutrient, causes heart failure (HF). A recent randomized controlled trial failed to show any improvement in HF prognosis after short-term VB1 supplementation. In the current study, we investigated the efficacy of long-term maintenance of normal blood VB1 levels in preventing adverse outcomes in patients with HF.This study included 88 consecutive patients with HF who received guideline-directed medical therapy at Arida Municipal Hospital. The patients were divided into 3 groups: a control group with normal VB1 levels and no VB1 supplementation (normal group, n = 25), and those presenting with VB1 deficiency, who either required short-term VB1 supplementation (short-term supplementation group, n = 25), or long-term maintenance of normal blood VB1 levels (long-term maintenance group, n = 38). The time to the first appearance of composite outcomes, including cardiovascular death and hospitalization for HF, was compared between the 3 groups.VB1 deficiency was observed in 63 (72%) patients. The Kaplan-Meier curve showed that the long-term maintenance group had better outcomes than the other 2 groups. In the multivariate analysis, long-term maintenance of normal blood VB1 levels and age were independent predictors of composite outcomes.VB1 deficiency is frequently observed, and the long-term maintenance of normal blood VB1 levels may result in better outcomes in patients with HF. Our results suggest that the detection of VB1 deficiency and long-term restoration of VB1 levels may be part of the overall therapeutic strategy for HF.

Does thiamine supplementation affect heart failure? A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized control trials

BACKGROUND

Heart failure is a pathophysiological condition where decreased cardiac output is observed subsequent to any structural deformity or cessation of normal function. Thiamine deficiency is one of the risk factors responsible for causing HF; other risk factors include hypertension, smoking, and obesity.

OBJECTIVE

We conducted a systemic review and meta-analysis of RCTs to scrutinize whether the heart failure patients would benefit from thiamine supplementation or not when compared to placebo.

METHODS

We selected only those double-arm randomized controlled trials (RCTs) which included participants presenting with symptomatic heart failure. We excluded all the articles published in languages other than English Language. Furthermore, all the studies other than RCTs were also omitted. Articles yielded from the electronic search were exported to EndNote Reference Library software to remove any duplicates. Analyses were done using the Review manager 5.4 tool. Mean values and standard deviations were retrieved for the continuous outcomes given as raw data.

RESULTS

The 6 RCTs selected for the statistical analysis consisted of 298 participants (158 in the intervention group, 140 in the placebo group). The outcomes resulted to be non-significant with LVEF p-value= 0.08, NT-pro BNP p-value= 0.94, LVEDV p-value= 0.53, 6MWT p-value=0.59, mortality p-value= 0.61, hospitalization p-value= 0.53 and dyspnea p-value= 0.77. Heart rate is the only significant outcome with a p-value=0.04.

CONCLUSION

To conclude, except for heart rate, thiamine supplementation had no effect on the outcomes of heart failure patients.

Whole Blood Thiamine in Organ Donors After the Neurologic Determination of Death

INTRODUCTION

Metabolic resuscitation of organ donors and the attenuation of oxidative stress incurred by organs following brain death and transplantation have the potential to improve organ yield and allograft function. Thiamine (vitamin B1) is a vital coenzyme in both energy metabolism and the production of antioxidants that has not been studied in the donor population.

RESEARCH AIM

To determine the frequency of subclinical thiamine deficiency in brain-dead organ donors and its correlation with demographics, length of hospitalization, donor management, lactic acidosis, and the requirement for vasoactive support.

DESIGN

Prospective cohort study of brain-dead donors managed at a single organ procurement organization's organ recovery facility.

RESULTS

A total 64 donors were enrolled; 24 donors had thiamine levels drawn upon arrival and 40 donors had levels drawn at the time of organ procurement. Whole blood thiamine levels were inversely correlated with the time from death (P = .007) and 20% (8/40) of donors had levels below the normal range at the time of organ procurement. Demographic features of the donor were not associated with thiamine levels although longer hospital stays prior to death were associated with lower levels (P < .05). The presence and resolution of lactic acidosis was not associated with whole blood thiamine level. Higher thiamine levels were associated with earlier discontinuation of vasoactive support (P = .04).

DISCUSSION

Whole blood thiamine deficiency was not uncommon at the time of organ procurement. Thiamine may be associated with the requirement for hemodynamic support.

Wet Beriberi Associated with Hikikomori Syndrome

Wet beriberi, characterized by high cardiac output with predominantly right-sided heart failure and lactic acidosis, is a disease caused by thiamine deficiency, and is rarely seen in modern society. However, patients with social withdrawal syndrome, also known as hikikomori syndrome, may be a new population at risk of thiamine deficiency. Hikikomori syndrome, first recognized in Japan, is becoming a worldwide issue. A 39-year-old Japanese patient was brought to our hospital, with a 3-week history of progressive shortness of breath and generalized edema. The patient had right-sided high-output heart failure, lactic acidosis, and Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. Because of his history of social isolation, we diagnosed hikikomori syndrome according to the Japanese government's definition, which is as follows: lifestyle centered at home; no interest or willingness to attend school or work; persistence of symptoms beyond 6 months; and exclusion of other psychiatric and developmental disorders. Considering his diagnosis of hikikomori syndrome and social isolation, we suspected malnutrition, particularly thiamine deficiency, and successfully treated him. Clinicians should be aware of the potential risk of thiamine deficiency associated with hikikomori syndrome and initiate thiamine replacement in cases of high-output heart failure associated with lactic acidosis.

Non-alcoholic Wernicke's encephalopathy with cortical involvement and polyneuropathy following gastrectomy

In this study, we present the clinical manifestations, brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and concurrent polyneuropathies in two patients with non-alcoholic Wernicke's encephalopathy (WE) after gastrojejunostomy (Billroth II) anastomosis procedures. These patients developed sub-acute onset of disorientation and disturbance of consciousness following several weeks of poor intake. Peripheral neuropathy of varying severity was noted before and after the onset of WE. Brain MRI of the patients showed cerebellar vermis and symmetric cortical abnormalities in addition to typical WE changes. Electrophysiological studies demonstrated axonal sensorimotor polyneuropathy. Prompt thiamine supplement therapy was initiated and both patients gradually recovered, however mild amnesia was still noted 6 months later. We reviewed non- alcoholic WE with atypical cortical abnormalities in English language literatures and identified 29 more cases. Eight out of 31 (25.8%) patients died during follow-up. Nine patients with gait disturbance or motor paresis had showed hyporeflexia in neurological examinations. In addition to classic triad, seizure was recorded in seven patients. Dietary deprivation is a risk factor for non-alcoholic WE among elderly patients receiving gastrointestinal surgery. The prognosis is good after thiamine supplement therapy. Recognizing the MRI features and predisposing factors in patients who have undergone gastrectomy can aid in the diagnosis and management.

Oxidative stress in sepsis: Pathophysiological implications justifying antioxidant co-therapy

Sepsis is one of the main causes of death among critically ill patients. Sepsis pathogenesis includes infection by gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, fungi, or both; exacerbated inflammatory response; hypotension, with potential to cause vasodilatory shock; and lesser delivery of oxygen to tissues due to impairment of oxygen utilization by cells. The participation of reactive species and/or free radicals such as nitric oxide (NO), peroxynitrite (ONOO^-), superoxide (O₂^-), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), and hydroxyl radical (OH) has been reported to underlie these effects. Mitochondrial dysfunction is related to loss of inner membrane potential and inhibition of the mitochondrial electron transfer chain and FoF1-adenosine triphosphate-synthase, resulting in cellular energetic failure. In addition, overproduction of NO due to inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) activity has been associated with harmful effects such as general vasodilatation and hypo-responsiveness to therapeutic vasoconstrictor agents. Considering that iNOS expression is regulated by nuclear factor-κB, which may be activated by ROS, antioxidants could inhibit the overexpression of iNOS in sepsis. In line with this, several antioxidants such as vitamins C and E, polyphenols, melatonin, β-glucan, N-acetylcysteine, mitochondrion-targeted antioxidants (MitoQ, MitoE, and peptides associated with dimethyltyrosine), selenium salts, and organoselenium compounds were effective in ameliorating oxidative stress in animal models of sepsis and in a number of clinical trials with septic patients.

Are brain and heart tissue prone to the development of thiamine deficiency?

Thiamine deficiency is a continuing problem leading to beriberi and Wernicke's encephalopathy. The symptoms of thiamine deficiency develop in the heart, brain and neuronal tissue. Yet, it is unclear how rapid thiamine deficiency develops and which organs are prone to development of thiamine deficiency. We investigated these issues in a thiamine deficient animal model. Twenty-four male Lewis rats were fed a thiamine deficient diet, which contained 0.04% of normal thiamine intake. Six control rats were fed 200 μg of thiamine per day. Every week a group of six rats on the thiamine-deficient diet was sacrificed and blood, urine and tissue were stored. Blood and tissue transketolase activity, thiamine and thiamine metabolites were measured and PCR of thiamine transporter-1 (ThTr-1) was performed. Transketolase activity was significantly reduced in red blood cells, liver, lung, kidney and spleen tissue after two weeks of thiamine deficient diet. In brain tissue, transketolase activity was not reduced after up to four weeks of thiamine deficient diet. The amount of thiamine pyrophosphate was also significantly conserved in brain and heart tissue (decrease of 31% and 28% respectively), compared to other tissues (decrease of ~70%) after four weeks of thiamine deficient diet. There was no difference between tissues in ThTr-1 expression after four weeks of thiamine deficient diet. Despite the fact that the heart and the brain are predilection sites for complications from thiamine deficiency, these tissues are protected against thiamine deficiency. Other organs could be suffering from thiamine deficiency without resulting in clinical signs of classic thiamine deficiency in beriberi and Wernicke's encephalopathy.

Cardiovascular magnetic resonance in wet beriberi

The clinical presentation of beriberi can be quite varied. In the extreme form, profound cardiovascular involvement leads to circulatory collapse and death. This case report is of a 72 year-old male who was admitted to the Neurology inpatient ward with progressive bilateral lower extremity weakness and parasthesia. He subsequently developed pulmonary edema and high output cardiac failure requiring intubation and blood pressure support. With the constellation of peripheral neuropathy, encephalopathy, ophthalmoplegia, unexplained heart failure, and lactic acidosis, thiamine deficiency was suspected. He was empirically initiated on thiamine replacement therapy and his thiamine level pre-therapy was found to be 23 nmol/L (Normal: 80-150 nmol/L), consistent with the diagnosis of beriberi. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) showed severe left ventricular systolic dysfunction, markedly increased myocardial T2, and minimal late gadolinium enhancement (LGE). After 5 days of daily 100 mg IV thiamine and supportive care, the hypotension resolved and the patient was extubated and was released from the hospital 3 weeks later. Our case shows via CMR profound myocardial edema associated with wet beriberi.

Tafazzin knockdown causes hypertrophy of neonatal ventricular myocytes

Mutation of the mitochondrial protein tafazzin causes dilated cardiomyopathy in Barth syndrome. We employed an adenovirus as a vector to transfer tafazzin small hairpin RNA (shRNA) into neonatal ventricular myocytes (NVMs) to investigate the effects of tafazzin knockdown. The tafazzin shRNA adenovirus consistently knocked down tafazzin mRNA and lowered cardiolipin while significantly decreasing the production of ATP by the mitochondria. The phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase and mitochondrial density were both increased in tafazzin knockdown NVMs compared with scrambled shRNA controls. When we tested whether tafazzin knockdown causes hypertrophy in vitro, we found that the surface area of NVMs infected with tafazzin shRNA adenovirus was significantly increased, as were the protein synthesis and expression of the hypertrophic marker gene, brain natriuretic peptide. Taken together, our data support the concept that a decreased tafazzin expression causes cardiomyocyte hypertrophy in vitro.

Severe anasarca due to beriberi heart disease and diabetic nephropathy

A 40-year-old man was transferred to our hospital because of severe anasarca. He was a heavy drinker for more than 20 years, and diagnosed with diabetes mellitus 8 years earlier and treated with retinal photocoagulation 8 months earlier. He reported loss of appetite after divorce 10 months prior to admission. On admission, he presented with systemic edema and dyspnea. Chest radiography showed massive pleural effusion and cardiomegaly. Serum total protein was 5.6 g/dl, albumin 2.6 g/dl, and urinary protein excretion was 5.3 g/day. Glucose tolerance test showed normal pattern. Ultrafiltration and continuous hemofiltration resulted in loss of 40 kg body weight in 5 days. Echocardiography revealed high-output heart failure and blood tests showed low serum thiamine level of 12 ng/ml (normal, >28 ng/ml). Accordingly, the diagnosis was established as beriberi heart disease complicated with nephrotic syndrome. Treatment with 50 mg/day thiamine intravenously and 80 mg/day furosemide resulted in increase in urine output, decrease in cardiac output, resolution of pulmonary effusion, and about 70 kg body weight loss. Percutaneous renal biopsy showed nodular glomerulosclerosis, mesangial matrix expansion, and thickening of glomerular basement membrane (GBM). Immunofluorescence study showed no glomerular deposition of immunoglobulin or complement. Electron microscopy showed GBM thickening and mesangial matrix deposition without electron-dense deposits or fibrils. These findings were compatible with diabetic glomerulosclerosis. In this patient, extreme malnutrition altered glucose tolerance but, on the other hand, nephrotic syndrome associated with diabetic nephropathy made the diagnosis of beriberi heart disease difficult.

ST-segment elevation of electrocardiogram in a patient with Shoshin beriberi

We report a case of a 58-year-old man with Shoshin beriberi who demonstrated ST-segment elevation and myocardial damage without coronary artery stenosis. The patient subsequently recovered with thiamine treatment. We conclude that it is important to consider Shoshin beriberi as part of the differential diagnosis in patients with shock and ST-segment elevation.

Gene-environment interactions in wet beriberi: effects of thiamine depletion in CD36-defect rats

Selective vulnerability to thiamine deficiency is known to occur between individuals and within different tissues. However, no comprehensive explanation for this has been found, and there are no reports that reproduce the cardiovascular manifestations of human wet beriberi in animals. We hypothesized that the distinction of substrate reliance, namely, the primary dependency on glucose as substrate, could be an underlying factor in the selective vulnerability of thiamine deficiency. In the setting of impaired fatty acid entry, which occurs in CD36-defect rats, substrate reliance shifts from fatty acid to glucose, which would be expected to lead to a susceptibility to thiamine deficiency. Genomic DNA was analyzed for CD36 defects in three cognate strains of rats [spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR)/NCrj, SHR/Izm, and Wistar-Kyoto (WKY)/NCrj], which identified the presence of a CD36 defect in SHR/NCrj rats but not in SHR/Izm and WKY/NCrj rats. Treatment with 2 wk of thiamine-depleted chow on 4-wk-old rats of each of these strains resulted in increased body and lung weight in the SHR/NCrj rats but not in the SHR/Izm and WKY/NCrj rats. The increased lung weight in the SHR/NCrj rats was accompanied with histological changes of congestive vasculopathy, which were not observed in either the SHR/Izm or the WKY/NCrj rats. Thiamine-deficient 12-wk-old SHR/NCrj rats demonstrated increased body weight (305.6 +/- 6.2 g in thiamine-deficient rats vs. 280.8 +/- 9.1 g in control; P < 0.0001), lactic acidemia (pH, 7.322 +/- 0.026 in thiamine-deficient rats vs. 7.443 +/- 0.016 in control; P < 0.0001; lactate, 2.42 +/- 0.28 mM in thiamine-deficient rats vs. 1.20 +/- 0.11 mM in control; P < 0.0001) and reduced systemic vascular resistance (4.61 +/- 0.42 x 104 dyn.s.cm-5 in thiamine-deficient rats vs. 6.55 +/- 1.36 x 104 dyn.s.cm-5 in control; P < 0.0001) with high cardiac output (186.0 +/- 24.7 ml in thiamine-deficient rats vs. 135.4 +/- 27.2 ml in control; P < 0.0019). In conclusion, SHR/NCrj rats harboring a genetic defect of long-chain fatty acid uptake present the relevant clinical cardiovascular signs of human wet beriberi, strongly indicating a close gene-environment interaction in wet beriberi.

Non-specific hyperamylasemia in shosin beri-beri

Several reports demonstrate non-specific hyperamylasemia in cardiac surgery or diabetic ketoacidosis. We report here for the first time non-specific hyperamylasemia in a cardiovascular beri-beri case who showed shock with severe metabolic acidosis. Her echocardiography revealed hyperkinetic wall motion of the small left ventricle. Despite intravascular volume expansion in parallel with dopamine administration, her blood pressure did not recover. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) did not reveal pancreatic swelling or any other signs of acute pancreatitis. Her history suggested a possibility of cardiovascular beri-beri due to chronic alcoholism. Thiamine administration dramatically reversed her haemodynamic derangements, metabolic acidosis and even relieved her abdominal pain. Isozyme examinations for hyperamylasemia showed that most of the serum amylase consisted of salivary type. This case report expands our information on non-specific hyperamylasemia encountered in the emergency setting.

Early recognition of acute cardiovascular beriberi by interpretation of hemodynamics

Acute fulminant cardiovascular beriberi is an acute thiamine deficiency, which, if not recognized and treated, can lead to high cardiac output failure and death. The symptoms of acute thiamine deficiency include severe lactacidemia, and the presence of a high cardiac output and extremely low oxygen consumption in a patient who is hemodynamically stable. In this case conference, we describe a patient who was diagnosed with acute cardiovascular beriberi.

[Is thiamine supplementation necessary in patient with cardiac insufficiency?]

Interest has recently risen regarding thiamine deficiency in patients with cardiac deficiency who are receiving long-term diuretic therapy. Thiamine deficiency can lead biventricular myocardial failure (cardiac beriberi), and treatment consists of thiamine administration. Studies have shown that long-term furosemide use may be associated with thiamine deficiency through urinary loss, contributing to cardiac insufficiency in patients with congestive heart failure. Thiamine supplementation could improved left ventricular function. However, the results of those studies are controversial, and none study have till proved the clinical impact of a systematic administration of thiamine in a cohort of patients with cardiac insufficiency. To date, and waiting for available literature, thiamine administration should be consider in patients at risk for thiamine deficiency (elderly, malnourished, alcoholic), and in patients receiving very large doses of diuretics.